Event Venues & Services Guide

Events in Hungary

This landlocked Central European country offers many diverse destinations: hills in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts (including Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe), and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Its capital city Budapest is a true jewel on river Danube, often described as the „Paris of Central Europe“, which itself promises a lovely environment for your corporate event.

Hungary gallery

Why meeting, conference or incentive trip to Budapest or Hungary?

1. NEW DESTINATION

Although Hungary is not an unknown place on the globe, it might still be an exciting new destination yet to be discovered for many.

2. VALUE FOR MONEY

The value for money is extremely favorable in Hungary. In general the quality of services is excellent and prices are still lower than in many other European countries.

3. ACCESSIBILITY

Due to its location, Budapest is easily accessible from all major European cities (approx. 2 hours flight).

4. AMBIENCE

Budapest owes its magic to the river Danube which divides the city in two - the hills and valleys of Buda on one side, and the bustle and commerce of Pest on the other. The sense of history, the agreeable climate, festivals and cultural events combine to make a city that is truly the Pearl of the Danube.

5. STANDARDS

The main international hotel chains are represented in Budapest, as well as a number of spa and wellness hotels combining leisure and meeting services. You will be welcomed in hotels offering high quality accommodation and excellent services whether hosting a small group on an incentive trip or a large conference for hundreds of participants.

6. ACTIVITIES

Unique programs are proposed for groups such as wide selection of sport challenges, cultural heritage or gastronomy tours. One of the highlights of your event might be a fantastic evening cruise down the Danube or a magical day on the Hungarian Great Plain.

7. BATHS

Budapest is a city of baths and is also known as the Spa Capital of the world. A party enlivened with a water ballet performance in the marvelous Gellért baths will surely result in a truly memorable evening.

Things to do in Budapest and Hungary

Buda castle

The castle district of Buda is dominated by the giant complex of the Royal Castle, which is housing today the National Gallery – the collection of Hungarian painters. Walk over the Chain Bridge to the Funicular and drive up to the castle area by funicular in order to enjoy a walking tour through the romantic and elegant quarter with old historical houses, small lanes and quiet squares. Visit the impressive Mátyás Cathedral with its brightly patterned roof – this gothic church is a symbol of liberty and independence for all Hungarians. A view from the famous Fishermen's Bastion to the unique panorama of the whole city is another highlight. Time for shopping or drinking a coffee on a pleasant terrace before walking back to the Pest side.

Gellért Hill

Gellért Hill is a dolomite rock 235 meters (771ft) above sea level and 140 meters (460ft) above the Danube on Buda side of the town. Since 1987, the area has been listed as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Banks of the Danube”. Gellért Hill offers spectacular views of the city. Taking in four of the bridges, the Parliament, most of Pest as well as the Castle on Buda side. At the top of the hill is the Citadel (Citadella), which was built by the Austrians after they suppressed the 1848-49 Revolution and War of Independence. Gun shafts aim at the Danube and the Buda Hills to intimidate the locals. The Habsburgs handed it over to the City Council at the end of the 19th century. Parts of it were symbolically destroyed. The Citadel has served several purposes since then, it has been a prison camp, temporary accommodation for the homeless, the site of an anti-aircraft battery, but since the 1960’s the fortress has become a tourist attraction.

The statue of Liberty is an enormous female statue which stands in front of the Citadel and, which can be seen from almost all parts of the city. She became the symbol of the Hungarian capital and commemorates Hungary's liberation from the Nazi rule.

The Chain Bridge

It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849. It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palace (Four Season Hotel today) and the magnificent building of the It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849. It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palace (Four Season Hotel today) and the magnificent building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The bridge was designed by William Tierney Clark and constructed by Adam Clark.

Parliament

The Hungarian Parliament, a magnificient example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is one of the largest Parliament buildings of the world. Guided tours are available when the National Assembly is not in session and takes 45 minutes - guests have the chance to see first the very richly decorated Staircase, later on the Cupola Room, where the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown can be found. During the visit in the Session Room guides provide information on the actual political situation of the country.

Heroes' Square

Located at the bottom of Andrássy Avenue, with which it comprises part of an extensive World Heritage site. This is one of the major squares of Budapest, rich with historic and political connotations. Heroes’ square is flanked by two important buildings, the Museum of Fine Arts on the left and the Hall of Art on the right. Its iconic statue complex, the Millennium Memorial, was completed in 1900, the same year the square was named "Heroes' Square". This memorial forms the central site of the square, with statues of the leaders of the seven tribes that founded Hungary in the 9th century and other outstanding figures of Hungarian history.

Opera House

Hungary is renowned for its musical heritage associated with such famous names as Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. The State Opera House, a spectacular building designed by the famous architect Miklós Ybl in Neo-Renaissance style, was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1884. Guided tour allow the guests to get detailed information on the long and colourful history of the building and music life of Budapest as well.

Jewish Quarter

Like in other countries in Europe there was a big Jewish minority in Hungary. Nowadays most of the Jewish who emigrate at the 2nd World War come back to Hungary and found a new community. While visiting the Jewish quarter, make a stop at the most impressive Jewish building at the Dohány Street - Great Synagogue, which is the second largest synagogue of the world, built in Moorish Revival Style. The Synagogue and the courtyards is also housing the Jewish Museum, Heroes' Temple and the Jewish Cemetery. After the visit continue to the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial garden and to the Carl Lutz Monument.

Gellért Thermal Baths

In the Buda side the famous Hotel Gellért is the home one of the most famous baths of Budapest, the Gellért Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool. It was built between 1912-1918 in the Art Nouveau style. It was damaged during World War II, but then rebuilt. Gellért Spa is famous for its main hall with gallery and glass roof, built in Art-Nouveau style. The thermal baths are decorated beautifully with mosaic tiles.

References to healing waters in this location are found from as early as the 13th century. A hospital was located on this site during the Middle Ages. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, baths were also built on this particular site. The "magical healing spring" was used the Turks during the 16th and 17th centuries. The bath was called Sárosfürdő („muddy” bath), because the mineral mud settled at the bottom of pools. The Gellért Baths complex includes thermal baths, which are small pools containing water from Gellért hill's mineral hot springs. The water contains calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbonate, alkalis, chloride, sulphate and fluoride. The water is proposed as a therapy for conditions such as degenerative joint illnesses, spine problems, chronic and sub-acute joint inflammations, vertebral disk problems, neuralgia, vasoconstriction and circulatory disturbances; inhalation problems for the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchitis problems. There are two different thermal baths, according to the signs on the walls of the baths, one is around 36 °C and the other around 38 °C. The complex also includes saunas and plunge pools (segregated by gender), an open-air swimming pool which can create artificial waves every 30 minutes and an effervescent swimming pool. A Finnish sauna with cold pool and children's pool is also enclosed within the complex.

Széchenyi Baths

It was built in 1913 in Neo-Baroque style. It is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Its water is supplied by two, the deepest and hottest 74 °C (165 °F) and 77 °C (171 °F) thermal springs in the capital.

In the bath there are different temperatures pools. The water temperature of the outdoor pools (swimming pool, adventure pool and thermal sitting pool) is between 27 and 38 °C. The guests can use the streaming water, whirlpool and massaging water beam. The water temperature of the indoor pools is 27 °C. The complex also includes saunas and steam baths. Széchenyi thermal baths offer a range of medical services. Massage services are available.

The hot spring contains significant amounts of fluoride, along with calcium, magnesium, hydro-carbonates, sodium and sulphate, which are effective in the treatment of degenerative illnesses of joints, as well as chronic and semi-acute arthritis. It is also suitable for orthopaedic and post-injury treatments. The water of the drinking well contains substantial amounts of fluoride, alkalises, and calcium, magnesium, hydro-carbonate, chloride and sulphate.

Gödöllő

Gödöllő has got the largest baroque style castle that served the Habsburg family. This baroque castle built in the mid-18th century, Gödöllő-Grassalkovich Castle will always be associated with Queen Elizabeth, wife of Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph. Queen Elizabeth, an advocate of Hungarian autonomy, was much loved by the Hungarian populace and was known affectionately as "Sissi." The castle was originally built as a home for Count Anton Grassalkovich, but was later given to the Habsburg royal family who, during the reign of Franz Joseph and his Queen, transformed it into a graceful, sprawling pleasure palace sporting its own theatre and chapel.

On the first floor of the building surrounded by a park of 28 hectares, the two high eras of the Palace come to life as permanent exhibitions of the Palace Museum. After the halls introducing the builder Grassalkovich family guests can visit the Royal suites of Francis Joseph and Queen Elisabeth reconstructed as original. In the summer, there are open air concerts in the palace courtyard.

Szentendre

Szentendre is located along the Danube about 30 minutes drive on the north of Budapest. Walking in the town among the small old houses, charming small squares, churches, boutiques, souvenir shops, art galleries, crystal shops, coffee houses, open air market on the street sis amazing. Populated for well over a millennium, under the Romans Szentendre was called Ulcisia Castra, meaning "Wolf Castle". Since the 16th century it was considered the centre of the Hungarian Serb community. At one point it had as many as eight Serbian Orthodox church buildings and 3 chapels, and only one each of Roman-Catholic and Evangelical churches.

Guests can visit the museum opposite the Serbian Belgrade Cathedral (which can be visited only during services), which houses great collection of Serbian ecclesiastical artefacts: icons, textiles and other relics from the 16th-19th centuries. Szentendre to this day is characterised by a south European atmosphere with much baroque architecture, churches of various faiths, narrow side streets, and cobblestone roads. Szentendre has been the home of many generations of Hungarian artists since early 20th century. There are many museums and contemporary galleries representing the rich traditions of the visual arts. Although Szentendre is known primarily as an artists' colony, there's more to this picturesque little town than galleries and cutesy crafts shops.

Guest can choose between several local museums to visit. Our recommendations are for this tour are the Művészetmalom (Art Mill), Kmetty Museum and Barcsay Museum. The exhibition hall in Művészetmalom (Art Mill) displays fine and applied arts works by local artists on 700 square metres. It also houses international travelling exhibits. Kmetty Museum on Fő tér, which in addition to exhibiting the works of the cubist painter János Kmetty (1889-1975) now houses sculptures by Jenő Kerényi in the basement. In an 19th century civic house in Dumtsai utca you can see works by the constructivist Jenő Barcsay in the Barcsay Museum.

Visegrad

Visegrád is situated to the north of Budapest on the right bank of the Danube in the Danube Bend. This town is famous for the remains of the Early Renaissance summer palace of King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and the medieval citadel. Visegrád came to prominence with the building of the 13th century castle fortifications and the construction of the royal palace. Its golden age came to an abrupt end in 1543 when the town fell into the hands of the Turks. The first public building was built in the town at the end of the 18th century. With the starting of a regular boat service, the town became a popular holiday resort.

The first Royal Palace was started in about 1320 by King Charles I of Hungary. In the second half of the 14th century, this was enlarged into a palace by his son, King Louis I of Hungary. In the last third of the 14th century, King Louis and his successor Sigismund of Luxembourg had the majority of the earlier buildings dismantled and created a new, sumptuous palace complex, the extensive ruins of which are still visible today. Between 1477-84 Matthias Corvinus had the palace complex reconstructed in late Gothic style. The Italian Renaissance architectural style was used for decoration, the first time the style appeared in Europe outside Italy. After the Ottoman Turks' siege in 1544 the palace fell into ruins, and by the 18th century it was completely covered by earth. Its excavation began in 1934 and continues today. At present, the reconstructed royal residence building is open to the public, and houses exhibitions on the history of the palace and reconstructed historical interiors.

Citadel, Visegrád. The double fortification system was built around 1250-1260 for Béla IV and his wife Mária Lascaris from the money she received for the jewellery that she had brought with her from Byzantium. The castle consisted of the fortified walls around the hilltop, two towers, and a residential palace. Over the centuries, beginning with the Anjou Kings and ending with King Matthias, this citadel was expanded and modernised by many Hungarian rulers. The Old Tower was finished by 1251 on the north-eastern part of the Citadel most open to attacks; it also served as a castle refuge. The enclosed pentagonal building with its protruding V-shape to the east had an important role in the defence of the Citadel. The enemy's catapult shots bounced off its massive walls and the archers could counter-strike against the attackers to protect the fortification. According to research, the castle chapel consecrated to St Elizabeth of the Árpád House, was most probably on the second floor of the tower. The Citadel was built as a castle refuge for the Dominican nuns of Rabbit Island, among them Princess Margaret, so a residential palace was added; archaeologists have also uncovered the remaining fragments of the walls. Today the Citadel also hosts a museum exhibition. From whichever direction the guests approach Visegrád it is impossible to miss the Salomon Tower. The Salomon Tower got its name from a misunderstanding, at a time when it was believed that King Salomon had been imprisoned there in 1082. The fact is however that the tower hadn’t even been built then. In fact it dates from about 1258. There is nothing along the whole length of the Danube to compare with its hexagonal ground plan, its height (31m), the area of land it covers (360 sqm) or its 8 floors. It was here that Vlad Tepes – better known as Count Dracula was imprisoned between 1462-1474 before Matthias Corvinus restored him to his original position in 1476. The tower currently houses the Matthias Corvinus Museum.

Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is named „The Hungarian Sea“. The 50-mile long lake has typical silky green-yellow water and is located in the middle of Transdanubia. The largest Central European Lake is the precious treasure and most frequented resort in Hungary. South part is suitable for family with kids. The summer water temperature is around 80°F, which is warmer than the average air temperature in the morning and in the evening. The water and the sleek mud of the lake have the positive effects on nervous complaints, anaemia and nervous fatigue. The region of vineyards is well-known for the production of excellent wines that go very well with the delicious local food.

Eger-Tokaj Region

The region is known not only for the world renowned wines, the Tokaji Aszú, but also it is the area of the highest Hungarian mountain, smallest village, the first Hungarian language bible from the 16th century and the oldest railway from the 19th century.

The Eger City one thousand year old Episcopal and archiepiscopal seat is the most beautiful baroque place in Hungary. The glorious past and priceless heritage of monuments also celebrate the victory of Hungarian warriors over the Turkish attacks. Worth mentioning of important monuments are The Prison Museum, The waxworks Museum, The Minaret and The Art Gallery. The town also offers the selection of red wines. You can taste the famed Bull’s Blood.

The Tokaj is the historic wine region that has been producing “the king of wines and the wine of kings” for hundreds years. The grapes with high sugar content grown on the sunny hill were processed into the delicious wine for the European monarchs as well as for the Pope of Rome. In the middle ages, people believed in the medicinal effects of Tokaj’s wine.